Thyroid problems run in my family, what should I watch out for?

Posted on Dec 22, 2016

Problems with the thyroid gland can show up in a number of different ways. The thyroid’s job is to tell your organs what to do. When the thyroid
doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), then your
body slows down. You might notice constipation, weight gain, fatigue,
feeling colder, as well as changes in your hair and skin. When the thyroid
makes too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism), then the body starts
to do more than it should. You might experience heart palpitations, tremors,
anxiety, sweating, heat intolerance, weight loss, insomnia and increased
bowel movements. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, tell
your doctor. He or she may want to run some lab tests to determine if
you’re having thyroid problems. Besides making the right amount
of thyroid hormone, there can also be a problem with the structure of
the thyroid gland itself where it can grow bigger (goiter) or have lumpy
nodules (thyroid nodules). Some people will notice a lump in their throat
when they swallow or have difficulty breathing when lying down. An ultrasound
can determine if there’s anything unusual with the thyroid’s
structure.

Dr. Hung Nguyen is an endocrinologist with the Torrance Memorial Physician
Network. He can be reached at 310-517-8952.